Ruth Agnes Campbell Spacek, an artist, music lover, and lifelong student of the universe, passed away on June 15, 2016 with her daughter, son and granddaughter in her presence, sharing stories of her wonderful journey of 94 years.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 10:30 am at St. James Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Dennis Darilek officiating. Private interment will follow at a later date at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.
Born in Seguin on October 26, 1921 to John Wallace Campbell and Clara Mae Forrester Campbell, Ruth grew up during the Great Depression, which shaped her life. She shared her childhood with her brother and sister, the late Edmund Campbell and Mary Turner of Houston and a close first cousin, the late Roy Campbell, who drove the Model A that took them on their early escapades.
In the 1940s, Ruth was working for the Farm Security Administration, a New Deal effort to combat American rural poverty, when she met Rudolph "R.B." Spacek. After a whirlwind romance, they married on June 25, 1942. He left 10 days later to go to Trinidad, where he served in a civilian capacity in communications during World War II.
Ruth became an accomplished landscape and portrait painter, studying under artist Leslie Larsson and other artists in San Antonio, and had a one-woman show at Larsson's gallery. Later she established her own Gateway Gallery on Vaughn Street in Seguin which she ran and displayed her artwork for 25 years. She taught art lessons in Seguin and at Randolph Air Force Base for artists across Central Texas.
Ruth had a wonderful fascination with every facet of life. She was a lifelong student—a regular patron of the library and a big fan of public television. She loved classical music and was an excellent cook.
Her children remember the weekend home the Spaceks established in the sandhills where Ruth and Rudolph transformed a house time had forgotten into a treasured and magical place to escape from R.B.'s long hours of running the College View IGA grocery store.
Ruth was a loving and passionate supporter of family and friends and a constant advocate and inspiration for others—even to the last days of her life. She was recently confirmed in St. James Catholic Church in Seguin.
She was spiritual, creative, a lover of all things classical, her precious kitties and possessed "Texas grit." She felt very blessed that she lived long enough to get to know her great-granddaughters.
She is survived by her daughter Linda Spacek of San Marcos, son Mark Spacek and wife Kathy of Centennial, Col., granddaughter Naomi and husband Turtle Young, and great-granddaughters Ellie and Lucy Young of Buda; granddaughter Sara Spacek and grandsons David Spacek and Matthew Spacek of Centennial, CO.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff of Nesbit Living and Recovery Center, Dr. Antonio Flores of Seguin for their many kindnesses and excellent care and Mike Nellis, Sr. Cal Leopold, Father Dennis Darilek and her fellow students in her recent RCIA class for their support and guidance.
Donations in her memory may be made to the St. James Catholic Church, 510 S. Camp, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or the charity of your choice.